Involved in a minor accident on September 29, 2015 that may had been caused by brake failure on September 30 the brakes malfunctioned and dealer diagnosed a brake actuator malfunction. On December 16, 2013 at 68,490 miles this car also a complete and sudden failure of this same part, no accidents involved with this failure. It was repaired at the dealer. The premature failure of the brake booster assembly should be investigated on hybrids since the inability to brake the car can led to a fatal accident.

- Guaynabo, PR, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Highlander hybrid. The contact stated that the brakes failed and caused a crash. The contact applied the brakes, but the vehicle accelerated into another vehicle. The vehicle was repaired, but the contact stated that the failure continued to occur. The failure mileage was 48,000 and the current mileage was 85,000. Updated 04/02/13 updated 04/12/2013

- Erie , PA, USA

For the past month or so, the highlander has been making a squeaking noise at the end of a moderately hard stop. It also makes the same sound sometimes when beginning to move after start-up and the brakes are released. I went to the dealer on Feb. 21, 2012, and they said it was the ABS actuator making the noise. The service representative told me that the noise was no problem, he said it was not a safety issue, and that the ABS actuator only needed to be replaced if I did not want to put up with the sound. It is a very expensive part to replace, and should be expected not to fail over the life of the vehicle. I read online that ABS actuators have been an issue in Highlander hybrids, so I have reported this incident.

- Okemos, MI, USA

I swerved and stopped suddenly when someone pulled out from a side street to avoid a collision. When I tried to restart the car, I couldn't. everything "seized" up. I just could not move the car. I had to have it towed to the dealership. They investigated and said that the actuator was stuck open and allowing brake fluid to continually enter the wheels, thereby engaging the brakes. In fact, the mechanic could only move the car once he disabled either the brakes or the actuator, he wasn't specific. From reading other customer discussions online, it appears that this part is supposed to have a lifetime warranty. My dealership looked up the general warranty and said that this wouldn't be covered. My car has had regular maintenance. I think a part like this should be covered and it should be recalled.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

When I brake and have my foot firmly and gradually depressing the brake pedal, the car slows but there are these one second instances when the car continues to coast/lunge forward as if it is not going to stop. These problems occur between 25 mph and 30 mph and also sometimes at 5 mph. This creates an unsafe feeling that I am not in control of the car.

- Bethesda, MD, USA

When running and decelarating when arriving at a stop, I applied a regular pressure on the brakes. At some point in the breaking the system stop braking and truck keeps running. After few seconds and extra pressur the truck star braking again. Two months later I have to change both bearings on my truck. As a professionnal electrical engineer, I would say that the hybrid system seems defective and some current is flowing to the ground. This result in bearing discharge. This non-braking behavior is occuring frequently around 3 to 4 times a week.

- Mcmasterville, NY, USA

2006 Toyota Highlander hybrid braking system temporarily releases when hitting a bump or uneven road conditions. This problem originally started in winter, when temps were below freezing. It is now happening no matter what the weather conditions are. The vehicle has been back to the Toyota dealer 3 times and each time they say they cannot reproduce the fault, nor do they find any information about it when they search their database. The incident date cited in this complaint is the most recent incident.

- Schwenksville, PA, USA

When braking moderate to hard, usually going downhill at anywhere from 20 to 40 mph, brakes will occasionally "release", causing vehicle to surge forward, and requiring reapplication of brake pedal, which usually then functions normally. Failure occurs several times a week, but not daily. Has happened ever since purchasing the vehicle used in 2009. Have not reported it to dealer, but keep expecting a recall for this malfunction.

- Spokane, WA, USA

I have a Toyota Highlander hybrid 2006. When I am braking to a stop at less then 15mph I often feel the car "lurch" forward for an instant as if the brakes stopped working for an instant. I searched on the web and found forums where other owners of Highlander hybrids reported similar issues. I think it is possible the braking switches from regenerative to hydraulic and there is a little pause or loss of performance for this instance which forces you to add more pressure to the brake pad to maintain smooth braking. Toyota has not stated that this is something that happens on their hybrids but most of the other drivers have had my experience. I would like confirmation that this is an issue and a determination if this is a safety or design issue that needs to be acknowledged by NHTSA or Toyota.

- Cape Elizabeth, ME, USA

I was parking on a steep hill and as I stepped on the brake, the vehicle lurched forward approximately 2 feet and hit the side of a fence post and caused damage to my front bumper. Since I bought this vehicle in 2007 I have noticed that often times while driving and then trying to brake on steep hills the vehicle lurches forward. This lurching often causes me to end up in the middle of an intersection or very close to a car in front of me, thus making it a very unsafe situation especially while driving kids. I have reported this problem to my Toyota service dealer several times and each time they deny that there is any issue.

- Mill Valley, CA, USA

My 2006 Toyota Highlander hybrid lurches forward when you first apply the brakes at about 20-25 mph or less, giving the sensation of losing braking power. The brakes also squeak when pedal applied and have since I purchased the car. Now has 65,000 miles. Prius aside, the problem can be dangerous and dealer says simply knows nothing about the problem and no one else complains. Just look at your complaints as well as hundreds all over the internet. Let's try to fix the problem before there is a death which gets someone's attention at your office. Thank you. Below date is irrelevant. Happens all the time and has for years.

- Plymouth, MA, USA

When I am braking my Toyota Highlander hybrid '06, there is a 2-5 second surge before the brakes kick in.

- Providence, RI, USA

I purchased a 2006 Highlander hybrid limited in September 2009. Fairly often when I apply the brakes at lower speeds, the SUV surges forward like the brakes have released for a moment and then have reapplied. It is dangerous and very disconcerting in close traffic or when going around a corner or circle. Although I have managed not to have a collision, I have come pretty close when driving with a reasonable distance from the car in front. I have described it to Toyota, which denies there is any problem. I have had it serviced without any problem with the brakes being identified. This is a problem that is noted by many people on the internet who describe the exact problem with my model as well as other hybrids manufactured by Toyota. It is a defect that could cause a serious accident if emergency braking is necessary, which at some point we all need to do to be safe on the road. Please address this with Toyota.

- Concord, NH, USA

Brakes release for a split second. It seems to occur if applying over a rough surface but not 100% certain of this. We've noticed this behavior ever since we purchased the highlander in 2006. Not until hearing of similar issues with the prius did we feel it necessary to report.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

Failure of 2006 Highlander hybrid brakes to maintain consistent resistance to forward motion. This failure occurs repeatedly and causes much anxiety and heart palpitation upon occurrence. This failure was brought to the attention of our local dealer and they claimed to not have any indications of the problem. I also brought them copies of numerous reports which read the same and indicated extremely similar conditions. 11/22/2006 reported to local dealer brake concerns. Their notes were:inter. Cond. More pronounced during 1st few applications in the morning. C/S pedal seems to "fade" & engine has a slight surge when braking. Customer has left vehicle for the day & overnight if necessary to duplicate concern. Results: Road tested 3 times. Concern could not be duplicated. Brake calipers & hardware functioning properly at this time. No repairs made at this time. What I actually told them was that the vehicle surged forward when the brakes seemed to fail. 10/02/07 brake concerns- per previous advise, replace front pads, resurface rotors removed and replaced front pads and resurfaced rotors. Charge $235.04. Talked to service manager about brake concerns. Talked to my salesman about brake concerns, talked to dealer manager about brake concerns. Reported on most service surveys and in person to survey callers. Ironically, dealer suggests front brake pads should be replaced now again. Toyota has never contacted me back after any of my reports to them. Only the local service manager ever called me back about this problem and he afforded no remedy.

- Shaftsbury, VT, USA

Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) my 2006 Toyota Highlander hybrid [xxx] sometimes surges forward before stopping at speeds between 20-35 mph. I reported the problem to my local dealer, superior Toyota, erie, pa on 1/11/07 (mileage 10,072). They said I was experiencing the change from electronic to hydraulic brakes. On 11/07/07 I complained again (mileage 24,335). This time they updated the ECU logic per tsb EG030-07. On 3/25/08 they said there simply was no problem. In summer 2008, palmiero Toyota in meadville, pa told me the sensation was caused by the "fly by wire system", and it was not a problem. When I heard about the prius braking problem, I began worrying again. I called superior Toyota on 2/23/10. They told me my car was not part of the recall, and there was nothing they could do for me. Any vehicle that surges forward rather than slowing when the brakes are applied is a safety issue. I am sending a letter of complaint to Toyota motor sales usa.

- Mckean, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Highlander hybrid. The contact stated that while braking at various speeds, the brake system would slip and the vehicle failed to slow down unless she depressed the brake pedal again. She noticed that the failure occurred an average of 2-3 times a week. She took the vehicle to the dealership twice and the dealer stated that they could find nothing wrong with the braking system. She also called the manufacturer and was told that it was a normal behavior for hybrid vehicles. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The current mileage was approximately 40,000. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000. Updated 03/15/10 updated 05/12/10.

- Cos Cob, CT, USA

2006 Toyota Highlander hybrid occasionally get a feeling of "no brakes" when applying the brakes. They have always stopped the car, but sometimes there is a brief feeling that they are not working I have reported it to the dealer on at least 3 occasions that I recall. The first time they turned the rotors, the second time they told me there was nothing wrong. The third time they said it was during the transition from regenerative braking to hydraulic braking and that "they're all like that." In my conversations with other pre-2010 Toyota hybrid owners, about a third to a half of them have the same problem. Date below is approximately when I first reported it to the dealer.

- Delmar, NY, USA

My wife owns a 2006 Toyota Highlander hybrid. Like the prius, this car will occasionally experience a momentary pause in its braking sequence as it switches from its regenerative braking system to its hydraulic one. How often does this happen? it is infrequent, occurring approximately once weekly or so. Nevertheless, it is noticeable. To date, we have not had an accident due to this glitch, but I am concerned that, eventually, it might. The pause is very short--a second or less.

- Vero Beach, FL, USA

I have a Toyota Highlander hybrid purchased Jan 2006. Periodically I experience brake surging as I've read described by prius owners. This is a random event that occurs when first applying the brake. I've reported it several times to my dealer and the reply is "Toyota says there is no problem with the brakes." The last time was two weeks ago. Since Toyota has a fix for the prius I hope you'll will encourage them to address the Highlander hybrid problem. By the way, I am an engineer and recognize a problem when I experience it.

- Xenia, OH, USA